Education
August 2000 Follow-Up Report on Rider 5: Texas Southern University Accountability Systems
September 2000
Report Number 01-003
Overall Conclusion
While we applaud the University's initiative in addressing facilities and construction, we noted weaknesses in the three contracts. One contract for an estimated $250,000 was not signed by the University. The two other contracts, totaling approximately $350,000, did not receive formal legal reviews and lack standard terminology to help protect the University in the event the contractors do not provide the expected services.
We provided management with a letter that suggests improvements to current contracting practices and recommends that two contracts be amended to include appropriate legal clauses and specific deliverables. The letter also details our review of the University's enrollment management and finance and accounting issues.
Key Facts and Findings
- Validated enrollment increases (3.26 percent from Fall 1998 to Fall 1999
and 6.82 percent from Spring 1999 to Spring 2000) exceeded the average for
a comparative group of Texas universities.
- The University continued to make progress in several finance and accounting
areas, including paying its invoices on time and improving its financial reporting
procedures and reconciliation processes.
- University management identified the Office of Facilities Planning and Operations as a high-risk area and contracted with three consultants to improve key facilities operations, manage its construction program, and report on the current condition of its facilities.
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